Time for a new career, want your thoughts and ideas...

[Timmy Tucker]

I'm officially over construction. make the beast with two backsing done. It's seriously wrecking my body and I'm burnt the make the beast with two backs out. The current economy certainly isn't helping much either.  It was tolerable when I was making decent money, but not any more. It's time for something different.

I am definitely going back to college, though I'm not quite sure what I want to major in. I'm gonna start w/ some remedial math and english classes this spring to kick-start my brain. Hopefully, by the fall semester I'll have a better idea what I want to do. I'm also gonna take welding and maybe machine shop classes. Always useful skills to have.

A little about me... Many moons ago I wanted to be an engineer, but chickened out. The thought of a regular 9-5 desk job is akin to a death sentence for me. I like to design stuff, but I like to build stuff as well. I simply have to get my hands dirty. I have a knack for solving problems and getting things done. (some of my friends call me The Wolf) I'm very detail oriented. Anal, to be exact. And I love stress. The more the better. I don't need to be filthy rich. Happiness is more important than $$ in my book. As long as I can keep a bike or 2 in the garage and buy a house someday, I'm cool.

Ideally, I'd like to work around things that go vroom... cars/bikes/planes/whatever. Preferably in a competitive (ie. racing) or R&D style environment. Working at a resto/custom shop would be uber-sweet as well. There's certainly nothing wrong with turning a wrench at the local dealer, but I'd really like to go a little deeper than that.

I'm not really sure where to start looking or what's out there. I'd be very appreciative of any ideas or suggestions ya'll may have. I'm all ears. Thanks for reading!




**EDIT: Fixification. I'm a retard**

[Terrapin]

Lessee, like to design stuff, build stuff, get hands on, but be abused and make no money - you want to be a Mechanical Engineer or Design Engineer! Our ME's are always hands on (well, the good ones anyway) and we have plenty of stress. You'll need the schooling for it, though. Many companies do a co-op program for students, so you can get credit and work experience at the same time. It will be tough to get a job in the industry of your choice, so you may have to "settle" for something (especially in this economy) and then work your towards your dream job.

Then you can have the Quality Engineers like me tell you did it all wrong and piss you off. 

But I'm no guidance counsellor, mmmk?

[DesmoDiva]

I would suggest looking into industrial design.  There is not much that we touch in a day that has been designed/reviewed by an industrial designer. 

My step-son, got his Bachelor's in industrial design and is now do his Master's in manufacturing engineering.  He speciallizes in lighting fixtures.  He spends part of his time designing new fixtures/parts and then heads down to the manufacturing floor where he then makes the new fixture/part.  It is really pretty interesting. 

One could apply this process to pretty much anything.  Motos, cars, planes, etc. 

+1 for internships/Co-ops. 

[FatguyRacer]

Things I would like to do if I werent a CAD monkey...

1. Merchant Marine
2. Harbor Pilot
3. Tug Boat Captain
4. Air Traffic Controller (im real good under stress)
5. Chartered Accountancy
6. Lion Tamer (I have the hat!)
7. Restore old Porsche's
8. Professional Photographer
9. Pornographer
10. Own a bike shop
11. Marijuana farmer

[Speedbag]

Engineering is cool. 

You won't get rich, but I get a big kick out of seeing things on store shelves that I had a big part in. My latest creation was the robotic processing equipment for a product called FrogTape (google it, the stuff works great). If you own an Insinkerator brand garbage disposal unit, I designed and built the machine that processes a large component in each and every one of them. And the list goes on. 

I got my BS in Manufacturing Engineering back in '93, but have been working as a Mechanical Engineer for a decade straight. Well, until this week when I became unemployed due to our fabulous economy and lack of contracts (see my Unenjoyment thread). But I'll be back on the horse as soon as someone hires me.

Otherwise, it's probably pornographer or pot farmer.

[cbartlett419]

Things I would like to do if I werent a CAD monkey...

11. Marijuana farmer

do you need a partner?

[FatguyRacer]

Depends. You ever kill a man? I think this line of work kinda depends on that skill. A degree in Biochemistry probably doesnt hurt. (I dont have one either)

[KnightofNi]

how about becming a trophy husband?

[erkishhorde]

Construction Managers make big bucks and you get to stay on the construction site w/o doing all the manual labor. Very stressful too trying to keep everything on track. Your site experience will help you out a lot in that field.

Otherwise if you wanted to try the engineering again there are a lot of places that have on-site engineers. You don't need to be able to do all the big stuff since those ones usually get sent back to the office for someone to do on a computer but you'll have to think fast to fix small things that may go wrong.

[Le Pirate]

machine shop?


learn teh CNC


you'd get to make stuff...I hear it pays decent

[Timmy Tucker]

how about becming a trophy husband?

Negative. I'm make the beast with two backs ugly.

[KnightofNi]

Negative. I'm make the beast with two backs ugly.

then how about an escort to make ugly chicks look better by comparison?

[Statler]

own and run a bar.   

[KnightofNi]

i just had an apiphany...if you're that ugly you are born to be in a metal band.

just get good and then get famous.

it's simple!

[Timmy Tucker]

i just had an apiphany...if you're that ugly you are born to be in a metal band.

just get good and then get famous.

it's simple!

Been playing metal since the day I picked up guitar. Currently a guitarist in a hardcore band. Izzat close enough? Hard to get rich and famous playing hardcore, though.